Poa pratensis and Phalaris arundinacea

[Mary Barkworth]

Julian Campbell asked me to post the following inquiry.  Please reply
directly to him, and (because I am curious)  copy me or TAXACOM in on
the answer also.  
Do you know anyone who is or has conducted serious genetic/morphological
research on differences between native and alien races of Poa pratensis
and Phalaris arundinacea?  
In a follow up message he added: 
As you may know Poa pratensis (perhaps as ssp. angustifolia?) and
Phalaris arundinacea MAY have native races, and MAY have been locally
abundant in presettlement vegetation of this region--potential remnant
populations are known in semi-natural vegetation and there are a few
potential historic references from pioneer years. They are both "cool
season" species (like Elymus and Arundinaria) that tend to be overlooked
in "prairie/warm-season-grass" restoration. It is important to know if
we should try in include these in restoration of native woodlands and
meadows where ungulates (in addition to fire) have significant "natural"
interactions with the vegetation. Both are important potential forage
species, but Phalaris gets reduced or eliminated by continuous grazing,
and now seems to be rather uncommon/rare in this region (whether native
or alien).
Julian Campbell, Conservation Scientist
The Nature Conservancy (Kentucky Chapter)
642 West Main Street,
Lexington, Kentucky 40508
859-259-9655 x32; home 271-4392
jcampbell at tnc.org <mailto:jcampbell at tnc.org>
<http://nature.org/states/kentucky/>